Which Kalimba should you buy? How to find the right one!

One Kalimba is really for each something. Everyone has fun with this instrument: amateurs and professionals, young and old, street musicians and therapists. You don't know which Kalimba to buy? Here you will find important information about buying a Kalimba.

What is a Kalimba?

A kalimba is a Lamellophone . This type of instrument originally comes from Africa, where the original types were played 3000 years ago, for example at festivals, for entertainment or at religious gatherings.

Hugh Tracey, an ethnologist who lived in the 1950s travelled through Zimbabwe, discovered the Kalimba, also known locally as Mbira. He adapted its tonality to European music and simplified the arrangement of the reeds. Since then, the instrument has been played in the Western hemisphere increasingly popular . It has found its place in world music and the kalimba is also often experimented with in jazz.

Which Kalimba is recommended?

Not only professional musicians buy Kalimbas. On Children The soft-sounding instrument is particularly attractive, making it easy for them to get into music.

What you when buying a Kalimba The choice of the right instrument depends largely on who is going to play it. The Kalimba is basically all music enthusiasts a great instrument, so:

• beginners and advanced
• Intuitive players and professional musicians
• children and adults
• yoga teachers, music and relaxation therapists

We show which kalimbas are suitable for which target groups:

beginners and switchers

Buying a Kalimba is worth it for all music and sound enthusiasts . It works a little differently than our well-known instruments with linear tonal arrangements such as the flute or piano. Nevertheless, playing the Kalimba is both intuitive and reading music easy to learn.

Kalimbas each come with a specific tuning. The most popular is A minor because it is particularly easy to play.

Also a pleasure for listeners: the special sound

Would you like to buy a Kalimba because you already have your beguiling sound A peculiarity of lamellophones is that not only the plucked reed vibrates, but also its neighbours. This way, the small instrument creates a atmospheric sound carpet that fills the room but is by no means intrusive.

Tunings for inexperienced players, beginners and professionals

Not all Kalimbas are the same . They are available in a narrow format with 7 reeds, in the popular and versatile versions with 9 and 11 reeds or in a large format with 17 reeds. Each type offers different possible moods which can also be changed manually or by a specialist company.

beginners

The Kalimba B9 is the classic with the standard tuning A minor.

B5 and B7 have few reeds and are especially suitable for children's hands and music beginners. The moods are catchy and pleasant. Only harmonic intervals are heard, which is particularly suitable for creative and intuitive play invites.

relaxation trainer, music therapists or Yoga instructors like to buy these kalimbas because of the soothing sounds they provide. connection to their clients and students. Also for the sound-oriented meditation the Kalimba is the perfect companion.

Are you a beginner or would you like to buy a Kalimba for beginners? Then you are in the right mood with a Kalimba A minor , C major or G major excellent advice.

professionals

For real musicians, kalimbas are B11 because of the higher pitch range and the various possible special moods interesting. These allow virtuoso playing and also sophisticated arrangements . These include, for example, F minor pentatonic, Akebono, Pygmy, Hijaz or the beautiful A major “high 9”.

For use in Blues and Jazz you can buy kalimbas tuned in Phrygian, Dorian, Mixolydian and other modes. Have fun experimenting!

Also interesting: If required, you can also buy Kalimbas as electric instrument . electric kalimbas are amplified via cable and 6.3 mm jack and can therefore be heard perfectly between guitar, vocals, drums, etc.

Did you know? Kalimba tunings can also be changed. With a tuner, Hokema tuning iron and a standard 50 gram hammer, your instrument can be tuned to your liking thanks to a professional tunings change your mind. So you have even more variation .

For globetrotters: ideal for transport

A Kalimba is handy and small, so that it can be carrying bag can be easily taken anywhere. It is the perfect instrument for on the go . That's why its sounds can often be heard by street musicians, at festivals and in the park.

Kalimbas and Sansulas from the specialist company

The Hokema-Kalimba is a versatile instrument with a exotic and calming sound . But the company in the heart of Germany doesn't just produce high-quality kalimbas.

Sansulas are the extension of the classic Kalimba. Their patented construction with a tensioned skin creates a particularly voluminous sound . This allows the vibrations to spread even better.

We are your expert and contact person for all topics related to Kalimbas and Sansulas, such as

• new acquisition
• areas of application
• care and maintenance
• repair
• tuning

We hope you enjoy your new Hokema instrument.